The best walks and hikes around Moorhead

Yes, many parks and trails around Moorhead are dog-friendly, provided your dog is on a leash. Gooseberry Mound Park is a popular choice for dog walkers, offering a mix of paved and unpaved paths. For a more natural setting, the trails at Buffalo River State Park also welcome leashed dogs, allowing you to explore the prairie landscape together.

The area has several family-friendly options. The Island Park loop — Fargo, North Dakota is a very short and flat walk perfect for little legs. For a bit more exploration, M.B. Johnson Park offers paved, stroller-friendly paths along the Red River with a playground and picnic areas, making it a great destination for a family outing.

While the Red River Valley is mostly flat, you can find more rugged terrain at M.B. Johnson Park, which features a four-mile dirt trail with some hills and scenic slopes along the river. For a longer, moderately challenging hike, consider the Red River Trail — Lindenwood Park, which covers over 6 miles and connects parks on both sides of the river.

Many trails in Moorhead are maintained for winter use. Paved paths in city parks are often cleared of snow, making them suitable for walking. Other trails, like those at Gooseberry Mound Park and in the state parks, become popular for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Always check local conditions before heading out, as trails can become icy.

Absolutely. The diverse habitats of riverside forests and prairies are excellent for birding. Buffalo River State Park and the adjacent Bluestem Prairie SNA are hotspots, especially for prairie species like the greater prairie-chicken in the spring. Closer to town, the woodlands along the Red River in parks like River Oaks Park also offer rewarding birdwatching opportunities.

Hiking in both cities is quite similar as they share the Red River corridor. Many trails cross the bridges connecting the two, creating a unified trail system. For example, the Iwen Park to Lions Conservancy Park loop — Fargo showcases the parkland trails on the Fargo side. Both cities offer a mix of paved urban paths and more natural dirt trails through riverside woodlands.

For an immersive prairie experience, Buffalo River State Park is your best destination. It's a short drive from Moorhead and features over 12 miles of trails that wind through one of the region's largest remaining tracts of native tallgrass prairie. The trails allow you to see a vast array of wildflowers and grasses.

Yes, there are several convenient loop trails. The Downtown Fargo Riverwalk loop — Fargo, ND is a popular 2.7-mile urban walk. For a more nature-focused loop, Orchard Glen Park in Fargo offers quiet, shady trails where you can often spot wildlife.

Locals and visitors enjoy a variety of parks. Gooseberry Mound Park is highly regarded for its relaxed atmosphere and trails. M.B. Johnson Park is another favorite, known for its mix of paved paths and more challenging dirt trails. For a true woodland and prairie experience, the expansive Maplewood State Park is a top-rated destination with numerous lakes and trails.

The scenery is defined by the Red River Valley. Expect gentle, flat trails that follow the river through corridors of woodland and grassy meadows. A short drive east will bring you to the vast, open landscapes of the northern tallgrass prairie. A route like the Bergquist Pioneer Cabin via Moorhead Corridor River Trail — Fargo offers a good example of the pleasant riverside paths.

The vast majority of trails in and around Moorhead are rated as easy. The terrain is predominantly flat, making hiking very accessible for all fitness levels. Most routes follow paved or well-trodden dirt paths through city parks and along the river with minimal elevation change.